Brick asks FEMA for more aid

Jan. 3, 2013

In this file photo, Brick High School football player Matt Jones, 18, dumps damaged sheetrock from the McAvoy home on Nejecho Drive home in Brick Township along the curb Friday. The home was damaged by high waters from Superstorm Sandy. / ASBURY PARK PRESS PHOTO BY THOMAS P. COSTELLO

Written by

Nicholas Huba

@nicholashuba

BRICK — The township cleanup from superstorm Sandy is expected to cost approximately $43 million and local officials want the Federal Emergency Management Agency to increase its share to help cover it.

A Township Council resolution urging FEMA to increase its share to 90 percent for the Sandy-related cleanup costs was passed Monday. FEMA officials previously stated the agency would cover 75 percent of the cleanup.

“The remaining 25 (percent) represents a significant figure to be borne by local taxpayers, further contributing to the detriment of the local economy,’’ Council President John Ducey said. “The storm has had a significant impact on Ocean County municipalities including Brick.’’

Brick was one of the areas hardest hit by the storm. Homes in the township's bay front section sustained major flood damage, while at least 110 houses were destroyed on the northern barrier island, officials have said.

If FEMA officials agree to increase funding to 90 percent, the township could save approximately $6.4 million in cleanup costs. Under the 75 percent funding plan, the township would be responsible for $10.75 million in cleanup costs. That amount would drop to about $4.3 million if FEMA were to increase its funding to 90 percent. Township Administrator Scott Pezarras has said Brick will borrow money to cover its share of the cleanup costs.

“That number could increase,’’ Pezarras said of cleanup costs.

Robin Smith, a spokeswoman for FEMA, said any request for more funding must come through the state and not from municipalities.